Smoke rises after Japan's Space One's small, solid-fueled Kairos rocket exploded shortly after its inaugural launch at Space One's launching pad on the tip of Kii peninsula in Kushimoto town, Wakayama prefecture, Japan on March 13, 2024. Japan's Space One's small, solid-fueled Kairos rocket exploded shortly after launch on its inaugural trip on Wednesday as the firm tried to become the first Japanese company to put a satellite in orbit. Space One said the flight was "interrupted" after the launch and was investigating the situation. Space One has said the launch is highly automated and requires roughly a dozen staff at the ground control center. Space One had planned the launch for Saturday but postponed it after a ship entered the nearby restricted sea area.

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Persons: Kairos Locations: Kushimoto, Wakayama prefecture, Japan, Kii